California Biographies
Doyle, Manville
Transcribed by Peggy Hooper
This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
Doyle, Manville. The subject of this sketch was born in Sangamon county,
Illinois, January 19, 1831. When an infant, with his parents, moved to
Rushville, Schuyler county, in that State, where he was raised and educated. On
March 10, 1850, he started for this State, in company with William Ewing, Zach
Spriggs, Robert Smith, and Isaac Snowden, with ox-teams, to cross the plains;
when about half-way across, becoming tired of the slow progress he was making
with oxen, and having a saddle-horse he purchased a mule, and packed his traps
and started, taking the route known as the Sublette cut off, traveling most of
the way alone, arriving in Sacramento city on the 8th day of August of that
year. He at once went to Feather river, where he was interested in different
mining operations in Butte and Plumas counties, until November, 1852, when he
returned to his native State via Nicaragua and New York, remaining at home most
of the Winter, purchasing a drove of horses and cattle, bringing them across the
plains; he also brought nine young men, to assist him with his stock, namely,
Edward R. Wright, William Hiatt, Enos Hiatt George B. Rodgers, Elisha Moore, L.
N. Breed, Andrew Lee, Henry Gammon, and John Huff, coming by the way of Salt
Lake and Truckee route, arriving in Butte county about the 1st of September,
1853, stopping on Feather river, pasturing his stock until January, 1854, when
he brought them to this county, and remaining on the ranch of General M. G.
Vallejo, near Petaluma, until the Fall of that year, residing in the old adobe;
he then removed his stock to Clear Lake, Lake county, settling in the valley now
known as Bachelor valley, being one of the four bachelors that the valley was
named for. On December 14, 1855, Mr. Doyle came to Petaluma, and formed a
partnership with C. I. Robinson, in the livery business; at that time their
livery stable joined the American Hotel. In July, 1856, he purchased Mr.
Robinson's interest in the property and business. In 1861 he made a trip to
Washoe, in company with Charles Hunt, Thomas Jacobs, and Solas P. Derby, going
by the way of Placerville, and visiting all the principal mines, returning by
the Hennes pass route; in 1863 he made a second trip to Washoe, investing some
in the mines, but failing to receive any returns therefrom he became
dissatisfied and returned to his home in Petaluma, continuing the livery
business until the Summer of 1864, when, on account of ill-health, he sold out
and went to Nicaragua, where he spent the Winter, traveling through all the
principal cities and towns of that State. The following Spring he returned to
this city. In January, 1869, he, with John Funk and others, went to Los Angeles,
by steamer "Senator," thence to Kern county, by way of Fort Tajon, for the
purpose of prospecting a silver mine that was supposed to be very rich; after
spending considerable time and money they abandoned the mine. In June, 1870, he
made a visit to friends in the State of Illinois, extending his travels through
several of the southern and western States, returning in the Fall of that year.
In the Spring of 1871, he, in company with Judge A. P. Overton, purchased a
tract of land known as the Brush place, in Cloverdale, this county, where he
moved in May of that year; here he resided until May, 1874, thence took up his
residence in Santa Rosa. The following year he was elected one of the Directors
of the Santa Rosa Savings Bank, which position he still holds. He returned to
Petaluma March 1, 1876, where he still resides. He was elected one of the city
councilmen in April 1877, for the term of two years; in l878 he was chosen
Chairman of the Board, serving his constituents in a way that gave general
satisfaction financially and otherwise. Married Miss Mary E. Conley, May 22,
1859, she being born May 22, 1843. The following are the names of their
children: William Edward, born December 6, 1860, and died January 1, 1861; Frank
Pierce, born May, 30, 1863; Carrie E., born October 5, 1864, died May 25, 1873;
Nellie J., born June 3, 1867; James Edwin, born April 9, 1870, and died May 30,
1873, Emma Louise, born March 11, 1872, and died February 28, 1876; Mary Alice,
born February 17, 1873, and died May 9, 1873; Albert Manville, born February
17,1873, died May 11,1873; Charles Andrew, born December 9, 1874, died May 30,
1875; Fred Ross, born July 9, 1877.
Source: HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, Alley, Bowen & Co. 1880